Star Pubs & Bars' welcome pack has assured 1,900 licensees on a number of key issues, including rent and product prices, ahead of taking full operational responsibility following the acquisition of Punch A pubs on 5 March.

In a pack sent to all licensees, Star Pubs & Bars provided information on every aspect of the transfer, investment, training, logistics and the support each pub should expect as the company continues its aim to "build Britain’s Best Pub Company".

Heineken assured licensees back in August, when the acquisition was completed,​ that it would "fully integrate" the pubs into its existing Star Pubs & Bars estate.

The pack, seen by The Morning Advertiser​, confirms that rent will remain the same, and the "vast majority" of drinks currently stocked will remain available at the current or lower price.

However, it said that as "no two businesses do things exactly the same" there will some differences.

Smooth as possible

The pack states individual pubs will soon receive bespoke documents, providing details related specifically to their pub, including details of their business development manager (BDM).

Other information includes changes to ordering, delivery and collection, from marketing and food and training support.

Star Pubs & Bars managing director Lawson Mountstevens said: “We want to work with licensees to make this handover as smooth as possible.

“We have clearly laid out every bit of information the licensee will need to help and assure them, so they can continue to spend as much time as possible making sure their customers are happy.

“We are on a journey to build Britain’s best pub company.

"We will do this by creating sustainable and mutually profitable partnerships with all our licensees, and working to attract and retain the best licensees who are crucial to the success of our pubs. The team and I are looking forward to working with them.”

Getting it right

On stock, it stated: "Our starting principle on stocking is that we will do what’s right for each individual pub.

"You’ll continue to benefit from the ability to stock all of the drinks available from Punch at the end of the transitional service agreement (TSA), from a wide range of drinks suppliers.

"In the longer term, any changes to the stock of a particular pub will only come about as a result of discussions and agreement with you – again, based on the principle of prioritising what’s right for your pub.

"We also have an agreement in place with SIBA that will see us work with them to continue the Beerflex scheme, which offers access to regional and local cask ales."

Star Pubs & Bars has also confirmed that those with Falcon contracts, brought in by Punch that classify pub managers as self-employed and mean managers take an agreed percentage of all net weekly sales, from which they pay their own and staff wages, will receive separate and bespoke information relating to its Just Add Talent model.

"We will be talking to all Falcon operators moving across on a one-to-one basis when they transfer over to us at the end of the Transitionary Services Agreement period (5 March)," said a Spokesman.